LEFKOSA - Dervis Eroglu, the leader of National Unity Party (UBP) and Prime Minister of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said on Tuesday that every issue should be negotiated at the table.
Following his meeting with TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Eroglu told reporters that Annan plan was on the negotiation table even if they said that ''it did not exist.''
Eroglu said that not only the framework drawn by United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General but also every issue should be negotiated in Cyprus talks.
They were in search of a government which would protect interests of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey's rights on Cyprus, Eroglu noted.
Eroglu said that he and Denktas had the opportunity to take up every issue in their second meeting held as a part of efforts to form a new government.
They favored formation of a government which would work for a lasting peace in cooperation with Turkey, Eroglu reiterated.
Eroglu stated that it was President Denktas' initiative to designate one person to form the government.
After the new parliament took oath, one person would be designated to form the government, Eroglu said.
Eroglu noted that he wanted to form a broad-based government.
Pointing out that there were 25 deputies each from the two wings at the parliament, Eroglu said that the government could get the vote of confidence by votes of 26 deputies.
Eroglu said, ''we say 'find 26 and form the government'.''
Difference of opinion with other parties on Annan plan could be settled through talks, Eroglu stated.
Eroglu said that UBP saw some problematic issues for Turkish Cypriots in Annan plan and noted that those could only be corrected through negotiations.
They were never against negotiations, Eroglu noted.
Eroglu stressed that accepting Annan plan in its current shape was not for the benefit of Turkish Cypriots.
They had acted taking into consideration interests of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey so far, Eroglu stated.
Eroglu said that they were in search of forming the government with a compromise.
Touching on Annan plan, Eroglu said that there were negative issues for Turkish side in the plan.
Eroglu underlined that every issue should be negotiated at the table and stated that they wanted to negotiate everything which was for the benefit of Turkish Cypriot people.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan waited for a sign from both sides to start talks, Eroglu said.
Eroglu emphasized that it was wrong to impose views of Secretary General on articles on which two sides could not reach any compromise.
It would be beneficial to show the last shape of the plan which would be formed with the initiative of two sides to the public opinion, Eroglu said.
Eroglu added that he would visit Republican Turkish Party (CTP) on Wednesday as a part of efforts to form a government.
(BRC-AÖ) 23.12.2003